Rooftop Running Track

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Our instructors know that wellness isn’t a concept or an antidote. It’s the total balance of all of our body’s systems. That’s why our instructors are dedicated to making the AquaVie fitness experience unique to every individual.

Sarah

Instructor

About Me

Sarah brings passion to her classes that can be felt immediately. “Flow with Sarah” is her motto and after taking her classes you will see her level of instruction creates a unique opportunity to receive a strong, fitness related workout while becoming connected with the mind through breath. Sarah was hooked on movement from an early age as a dancer and performing artist and got her first taste of yoga in college while studying under renowned Iyengar Yoga Instructor Herb Sandoval at Santa Monica College. In 2012 she suffered from severe back pain and rediscovered her yoga practice, this time under Bryan Kest at Santa Monica Power Yoga. Her back pain subsided, and she loved the benefits, both mental and physical, she was receiving from practicing yoga regularly. She moved to San Diego in 2015 and pursued her dream of teaching by becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor through CorePower Yoga. Always a student first, it was yoga that taught Sarah to listen to her heart and to follow what she truly desires. Her enthusiasm and "full of life" demeanor sets her apart as an authentic teacher and yogini who truly loves sharing her passion of yoga with others, so they too can listen to their true selves.

Kendall

Instructor

About Me

Kendall grew up in Washington State and moved to San Diego in February of 2016. After experiences with chronic anxiety she found yoga to be an excellent way to keep her mind and body calm and centered. She is a kind-hearted and optimistic individual who loves to make people smile.

In Kendall’s classes you will find a welcoming, supportive space filled with feel-good adjustments and heart-felt encouragement. She loves to see students step out on a limb to try something new. Never be afraid to fall!

When Kendall isn’t practicing yoga you can find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and baking her favorite treats. Her motto: Life’s too short for a bad meal!

Karina

Instructor

About Me

Karina's love for movement began in her hometown of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When she was six years old she would accompany her mother to her Ashtanga classes where she would sit on the sidelines & watch everyone breathe in synchronicity. At age fourteen she took part in her first 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge - this was the first time she felt like she was a part of a community. Once in high school Karina began classically training in ballet, jazz, contemporary & modern dance, eventually leading to graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts. After three years dancing professionally in San Diego, Karina was reintroduced to the Yoga Collective. Now more than ever she feels the need to serve by guiding people to live a life in an awakened state of being.

Darwin

Instructor

About me:

Darwin has dedicated his entire life to the training of martial arts. Starting at a very young age, he trained a few years in karate and eventually progressed into Brazilian Capoeira, under a well accomplished Capoeira mestre. In 1998, he began training with the legendary Dan Inosanto, protégé of the late Bruce Lee. Dan Inosanto introduced Darwin to the founder of the World Thai Boxing Association and the person responsible for bringing Muay Thai to America, the legendary, Ajarn Surachai Sirisute. Upon training Thai boxing, Darwin immediately fell in love with the art and later obtained the certificate of Instructorship, earning his title as “Kru” or master instructor in Thai Boxing.

In 1999, Darwin continued his cross training with a longtime family friend and big brother figure, 2x (MMA) World Champion, Erik Paulson. He worked his way from being a student all the way to a high-ranking level coach in Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling. During the same year, Darwin was also cross-training with his long time mentor and friend, Sifu Kenny Barry. He took Darwin under his wing and they trained countless hours in Filipino martial arts and in Bruce Lee’s, Jeet Kune Do. Kru Darwin later advanced in both arts, earning the title as a black belt level or instructor level under Sifu Kenny Barry.

Darwin is a well-rounded and experienced professional martial artist. He is dedicated and passionate about the progress and well-being of each athlete and every one of his martial arts students. His determination and drive to help people reach their goals is his job. If you’re looking for fitness and to learn a potentially lifesaving skill set within a high intense environment, you found the right place!

Alberto

Instructor

Sahand

Personal Trainer

About MeSahand specializes in corrective exercise, flexibility training, body fat reduction, interval training, athletic training and strength training. Sahand's goal as a coach is to make exercise fun and the best part of your day. Sahand has done various style of martial arts and has competed in collegiate track and field in the 400m and 4x400 relay. In his free time Sahand loves being active in the gym and plays sports such as basketball and football.

My PhilosophyAs a personal trainer and coach, it is my job to get my clients to perform at their absolute best. I have realized over the years that each person has different support needs to get them to their goals. I do not believe in a one workout/program fits all approach. This is called PERSONAL training. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Each person that comes to me needs a specific program to fit their needs. Some need to lose that extra 10-15 pounds to get them to perform at their best. Others need to improve their range of motion and mobility to move better. Then there are those who need to correct those stubborn aches and pains. There are times I see a combination of the three. I have spent years learning the education necessary to address all of my client’s needs so I can help each achieve their goals no matter what the focus. I want to see where you are in your life and how you want to recreate yourself into the best version of you. I tailor my programs to fit your lifestyle and the activities you enjoy doing. I deliver my results through science and current evidence based research. I can guarantee that with a positive attitude and the desire for self-growth, you will see and feel your results when you work with me.

Lindsay G.

Personal Trainer

About Me

Lindsay is an NCSF Certified Personal Trainer and Owner/Operator of JustDo.Fit; specializing in getting people fit for their active trips including online adventure prep programs. As a Certified Personal Trainer she is available for one on one Personal Training, group training and classes, boot camps, nutrition guidance/planning as well as coaching.

In her free time Lindsay played beach volleyball, and enjoys hiking, biking, camping, backpacking (mostly solo trips), with a love for travel, she is launching an active guided adventure travel company. When she is not exploring the great outdoors she enjoys building things, work on her trucks and rehabbing houses with her dog Mama Girl by her side.

Elyssa

Personal Trainer

About Me

Elyssa Swann has been a dedicated personal fitness & lifestyle coach and health activist since 2002. Her specialization in training focuses on body fat reduction, functional strength training, pre/post injury rehabilitation, and mobility. More recently, she has been working as an enthusiastic yoga instructor. She hopes to continue her passion as a yoga instructor and grow her practice. She believes her personal training background and yoga experience helps her better understand how the body functions. The two complement each other well and provide a balance between strength and focus.

Elyssa’s knowledge in personal training and yoga are not the only things that make her a unique coach; she finds importance in creating personal connections with the people around her. She has a positive, energetic outlook on life and she strives to encourage others to do the same. Her workouts can be tough but are often filled with laughter. She strongly believes that a healthy lifestyle does not solely consist of the physical, but rather a well-rounded connection between mind and body. In her off time, she enjoys traveling, indulging in creative projects, and pursuing the richness that the world has to offer.

Jonathan

Instructor

About Me

Sixteen years ago I began yoga in a teacher training. It was actually a practice that began to quell my mind’s desires and addictions to pain and suffering. I initially had no clue that the physical body, or my spirit was going to be something I could fall in love with. Through a daily practice and much guidance, the links between my breath, mind, body and unique spirit gave me a heightened sense of the importance of love on all levels…for the individual self and all beings surrounding it. Yoga has become a big part of every aspect of my life and has allowed me to remain a thriving, productive being within our world. It is my passion to give all my knowledge to those that seek so that i might be able to inspire them on their own path to their own unique truth within the collective whole. What our world is creating in the physical space is an example of what our intellect and spirits are capable of sustaining in all realms.

Nicole

Instructor

About Me

Movement has always been the answer to my life's questions. Run, spin, yoga, dance, snowboard, surf- I love it all. I've always been a mover and it's how I keep myself feeling good: mind, body, and spirit. I found Pilates fifteen years ago and it has changed my body and how I move for the better. It has also made all of the above better, stronger, and more fun. And now, since the birth of my daughter in 2014, I rely on The Method more than ever to keep strong and feeling good in my own skin.

I have completed the Masters program at Vintage Pilates led by Jay Grimes in Los Angeles. Jay Grimes is a first generation master instructor taught directly by Joseph Pilates. I have been teaching The Pilates Method for over a decade and continue to learn from those who were taught by Joseph Pilates himself or who studied w/ his direct students: Jay Grimes, Karen Frischmann, and Sandy Shimoda to name a few.

Joseph Pilates put it best, "Pilates develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit." I enjoy seeing those words manifest in my clients' work and I love witnessing the improvements that happen in their bodies.

Jacui

Instructor

About Me

Jacqui has always been an active person, dancing as a kid growing up in Michigan, as well as cheerleading, acting, and gymnastics. She moved to California in 2006 to attend San Diego State University, where she studied Theatre Arts. She found a passion for Latin dancing in San Diego, including Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha, and Bachata. She discovered Zumba in 2007, and finally became certified to teach it in 2014. Jacqui loved the variety in styles of dance taught in Zumba, which provide for a fun, dynamic workout that doesn’t get boring. She thinks the most important aspect of a fitness regime is the fun factor, because that’s what will keep you doing it!

In her own class, Jacqui choreographs her routines to combine Latin, Bellydance, African and Hip-Hop, with other dance styles occasionally thrown in. She strives for her class to be an infectious and sweat-inducing dance party. In her spare time, Jacqui also enjoys skating, hiking, traveling, acting, and martial arts.

Kevin

Instructor

About Me

Kevin has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 25 years instructing spin classes, swim classes (private and masters swim), boot camps and triathlon training. He attended Northern Arizona University and SDSU, focusing on Physiology and Sociology. He has competed and completed in over 100 triathlons both nationally and worldwide.

Lindsay R.

Personal Trainer

About Me

Lindsay is a certified ISSA personal trainer with a degree in exercise science. She will be with you every step of your fitness journey making it easier and more enjoyable. Being an athlete from a young age, Lindsay has always loved fitness. Starting as a dancer, hiker, rock climber, and volleyball player she eventually transitioned to the weightlifting world. Her varied background helps her keep fitness diverse and exciting, and her personal passion for weightlifting led to a love for being able to share the strength and confidence fitness can give to everyone. She will be with you every step in achieving your goals whether that be weight loss, strengthening, or toning. Fitness has a tremendous impact on every aspect of life, and together you can push boundaries to reach your full potential. Lindsay’s hope is to inspire you to feel your best and to live in harmony with your body.

Specialization:

Strength training

Toning

Flexibility

Weight Loss

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES

Towel Service

Enjoy an abundance of clean, fresh towels every time you visit.

Laundry Service

Ditch the dirty clothes and we’ll launder them for you. Included in select levels of membership.